Democrats name new Pamlico commissioner candidate

BAYBORO — In a short Saturday meeting, the Pamlico County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee selected Greg Piner as a replacement county commissioner candidate on the November ballot.

Sun Journal Staff

BAYBORO — In a short Saturday meeting, the Pamlico County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee selected Greg Piner as a replacement county commissioner candidate on the November ballot.

Piner, who announced his desire for the job week before last, did so after Roger Bullis withdrew from the race because of a threatening telephone call to his wife.

Bullis’ official request to the county elections board came too late for his name to be removed from the ballot. The three-member board decided last week that his name would remain, but that any votes he received will count for Piner, a retired chemist and production manager at the civilian operations at Cherry Point air station.

Piner, who has lived in Oriental since the 1970s, has been an active voice again the state’s planned tolls on coastal ferries, including the one he rode for many years across the Neuse River connecting Minnesott Beach and Cherry Branch.

His wife Nancy taught in the Pamlico County Schools’ gifted children’s program for more than 30 years.

Piner faces incumbent Republican Chris Mele, who has publicly denounced the telephone call that forced Bullis from the race.

“I want to be very clear that I do not believe that the verbal attack inflicted on Roger Bullis and his family in any way reflects the view of my Republican friends,” Piner said. “Nor do I believe that Chris Mele or her followers had anything to do with that phone call. I ask that we all forget about that issue as we move forward with this election.”

Piner said he announced as a candidate after encouragement from voters in Township 2, which includes polling places in Oriental, Stonewall and Bayboro. Elections officials, when considering a reprint of the ballots, said it affected about 2,500 voters.

Piner told the Sun Journal that key issues included the ferry situation, in which a moratorium keeping the local ferry free will end in June unless there is a change of heart among members of the General Assembly.

He also said economic development was important for the county’s future, adding he did not favor develop that might hurt existing businesses.

Two other county commissioner races are on the November ballot, although only one is contested.

Democrat newcomer Pat Prescott, the Grantsboro town clerk, is unopposed in District 1 after winning a May primary. She replaces outgoing longtime Commissioner Roy Brinson of Reelsboro, who announced his retirement in the spring.

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